optimal

USAGE SUMMARY

"optimal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is the best or most favorable option. For example, "The optimal solution to this problem would be to create a budget and stick to it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Kutsuplus lets riders specify their own desired pick-up points and destinations via smartphone; these requests are aggregated, and the app calculates an optimal route that most closely satisfies all of them.

The Guardian

In particular, research has shown that few Caucasians have the optimal version of this gene.

The Guardian

Ofcom also said that it does not intend to "examine in detail" whether there might be a "more optimal mix" of institutions for delivering public service content in the future.

The Guardian

Which, in a world governed by the rule of law, might be optimal: one person is the person you can spy on because you've got probable cause.

The Guardian - Tech

Business relations are optimal and dozens of Italian companies, from Finmeccanica to Eni, from Merloni to Calzedonia, from Pirelli to Ferrero, are well established in Britain.

The Guardian

Fiscal coordination is a realistic hope; optimal fiscal consolidation cannot be determined by either eurocrats or markets, no matter what the economics textbooks say.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They claim they need a change in the Communications Act, but it already says that Ofcom has to secure optimal use of the spectrum," said Page. "If taking on board the carbon impact isn't making optimal use of the spectrum, I don't know what is".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

They also involved several deteriorating patients – including a child – who received "sub-optimal care" before they died; an unexplained "patient accident outside A&E where a wheelchair collided with a van causing patient injury"; several unexpected deaths; medication errors; two newborns dying unexpectedly; and a failure to properly safeguard a vulnerable child and an adult.

The Guardian

This in turn has long-lasting effects on the economy.Uncertain, with a chance of sub-optimal equilibriumAlmost all these correlations derive from weather data from the past five or ten years.

The Economist

But so far, problems of imperfect information and enforcement have pushed this three person game toward the sub-optimal equilibrium.

The Economist

This reshuffling should lead to more efficient matches between firms and workers and a more productive media industry (again, stifle laughter).That of course suggests that the previous distribution of workers was sub-optimal.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision in technical or analytical writing, use "optimal" to denote the most effective solution or condition, especially when considering constraints or specific criteria. For example, "the optimal configuration of solar panels maximizes energy capture."

Common error

While "optimal" is technically correct in various settings, it can sound overly formal or pretentious in casual conversation. In less formal contexts, consider using simpler alternatives like "best" or "ideal" to maintain a natural tone. For example, instead of saying "This is the optimal route to the store", try "This is the best way to get to the store."

Linguistic Context

The adjective "optimal" primarily functions to modify nouns, specifying that something is the best, most favorable, or most desirable under given circumstances. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct for this purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

31%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "optimal" is a versatile adjective used to describe the best, most favorable, or most desirable option, especially under specific conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable. While highly valuable in formal and technical contexts, it may come across as pretentious in casual conversation, where alternatives like "best" or "ideal" are often more suitable. With consistent usage across news, business, and scientific domains, knowing when and how to use "optimal" will help refine your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

optimum

The most favorable or advantageous point, condition, or degree for a particular situation.

best

A more general term indicating the highest quality or most suitable option.

ideal

Implies a perfect or ultimate standard that may not always be achievable.

most favorable

Emphasizes the advantageous nature of the choice or condition.

most desirable

Highlights the attractiveness and preference for the specific option.

finest

Stresses superior quality or skill.

prime

Denotes the highest quality or value.

peak

Indicates the highest point or level of achievement.

superior

Suggests a higher quality or effectiveness compared to others.

perfect

Implies flawlessness and completeness.

FAQs

How can I use "optimal" in a sentence?

Use "optimal" to describe the best or most favorable condition or solution, especially when considering limitations or specific criteria. For instance, "Finding the "optimal balance" between price and features is crucial."

What's a simpler word for "optimal"?

Depending on the context, you can use simpler alternatives such as "best", "ideal", or "most effective" instead of "optimal". The "best solution" is often the easiest to understand and implement.

Is it always necessary to use "optimal", or are there situations where it's better to use "best"?

While "optimal" implies the absolute best considering constraints, "best" is a more general term. Use "optimal" when precision is key, and "best" when a general sense of high quality is sufficient. This is the "ideal strategy" for achieving the desired outcome.

What is the difference between "optimal" and "optimum"?

"Optimal" is an adjective describing something that is best or most favorable, while "optimum" is a noun referring to the most favorable condition or degree. The "optimal conditions" will lead to the optimum growth.